# What prehistoric oddity did I just pull out of my garden? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 2, 2010, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prehistoric-oddity-did-i-just-pull-out-of-my-garden/552424 "2010-09-02T20:20:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2010, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prehistoric-oddity-did-i-just-pull-out-of-my-garden/552424/1 "2010-09-02T20:20:00Z")
I was tending the garden trying to eradicate the voles that have recently taken up housing in the garden…they are creating these enormous mounds and I have recently found an enormous squash plant completely dead from having it’s root eaten… Anyway, my SO was digging out one of the vole mounds when I heard a scream, more of a shriek and so I hustled over to see what it was and found this thing muddling around in the soil… [Pic1](http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r156/Phlosphr/DSC_0199.jpg) [Pic2](http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r156/Phlosphr/DSC_0203.jpg) [Pic3](http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r156/Phlosphr/DSC_0196.jpg) My best guess was spotted salamander, but this guy looks nothing like the photos of the spotteds I’ve seen online. Tiger Salamander maybe? And what was he doing in the soil? Weird, or no? ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2010, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prehistoric-oddity-did-i-just-pull-out-of-my-garden/552424/2 "2010-09-02T20:35:34Z")
Where do you live? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Accident](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Mr.Accident](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Accident)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2010, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prehistoric-oddity-did-i-just-pull-out-of-my-garden/552424/3 "2010-09-02T20:39:56Z")
Looks like a newt, or baby gela monster. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2010, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prehistoric-oddity-did-i-just-pull-out-of-my-garden/552424/4 "2010-09-02T20:40:08Z")
Colorado, at 8200-ft in Mountains. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2010, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prehistoric-oddity-did-i-just-pull-out-of-my-garden/552424/5 "2010-09-02T20:44:32Z")
Does indeed resemble a [Tiger Salmander](http://ndis.nrel.colostate.edu/herpatlas/coherpatlas/cdow_herpetofaunal_atlas_species_salamander_ambystomatigrinum.htm). ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2010, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prehistoric-oddity-did-i-just-pull-out-of-my-garden/552424/6 "2010-09-02T21:23:10Z")
> [@Phlosphr](#): > > Colorado, at 8200-ft in Mountains. Hiya neighbor. What town? I’m on top of Hoosier pass, just north of Alma. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2010, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prehistoric-oddity-did-i-just-pull-out-of-my-garden/552424/7 "2010-09-02T21:29:26Z")
Some kind of lizard? Look like lizard legs to me, though I guess they could be amphibian’s. Maybe you’re discovered something new & exciting in the world of herpetology. Or a garden variety lizard. A new & exciting garden variety lizard, perhaps, Colorado’s not been civilized all that long. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2010, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prehistoric-oddity-did-i-just-pull-out-of-my-garden/552424/8 "2010-09-02T21:31:54Z")
Well, it’s obviously garden-variety, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s common. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2010, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prehistoric-oddity-did-i-just-pull-out-of-my-garden/552424/9 "2010-09-02T21:32:00Z")
> [@Mr.Accident](#): > > Looks like a newt, or baby gela monster. Gila Monsters are reptiles. That is definitely a salamander. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2010, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prehistoric-oddity-did-i-just-pull-out-of-my-garden/552424/10 "2010-09-02T21:35:40Z")
> [@Phlosphr](#): > > [Pic3](http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r156/Phlosphr/DSC_0196.jpg) Suggested caption: “I’m remembering _you_, buddy, when I’m 30’ long” ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2010, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prehistoric-oddity-did-i-just-pull-out-of-my-garden/552424/11 "2010-09-02T21:38:53Z")
We had crayfish, in out front yard, in Tennessee. Near surface underground stream. Bet this is the same. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2010, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prehistoric-oddity-did-i-just-pull-out-of-my-garden/552424/12 "2010-09-02T21:56:42Z")
That’s a salamander. I can’t identify it as a particlular type, but I’ve seen similar ones. You might have already doomed it by holding it in your hand. Because they are amphibians with porous skin, even the oils in your hand could be lethal. But that one looks big enough to survive. Go to [HerpNET](http://www.herpnet.org/)to get more info, advice, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2010, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prehistoric-oddity-did-i-just-pull-out-of-my-garden/552424/13 "2010-09-02T22:07:23Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > > [@Phlosphr](#): > > > > Colorado, at 8200-ft in Mountains. > > Hiya neighbor. What town? I’m on top of Hoosier pass, just north of Alma. Oh wow, you’re out by Leadville…I’m up in Jefferson County, near Coal Creek. Just bought a house on a few acres…love it. Definitely settling in up here! ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2010, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prehistoric-oddity-did-i-just-pull-out-of-my-garden/552424/14 "2010-09-02T22:08:53Z")
Looks like a Tiger Salamander … pretty cool! Thing was huge, I think he’ll be fine! ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2010, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prehistoric-oddity-did-i-just-pull-out-of-my-garden/552424/15 "2010-09-02T22:12:54Z")
yeah, that’s a salamander–and I ought to know. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2010, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prehistoric-oddity-did-i-just-pull-out-of-my-garden/552424/16 "2010-09-02T22:42:07Z")
You are insured by the wrong company. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2010, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prehistoric-oddity-did-i-just-pull-out-of-my-garden/552424/17 "2010-09-02T22:43:12Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > We had crayfish, in out front yard, in Tennessee. Near surface underground stream. Bet this is the same. Salamanders need not live in streams. Depending on species, they may only need water for breeding, like toads. ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2010, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prehistoric-oddity-did-i-just-pull-out-of-my-garden/552424/18 "2010-09-02T22:54:42Z")
yeah, I used to catch those in Wisconsin. Probably not the same variety, but a Salamander in any case. They can live in captivity if you can dig up some worms and keep the thing moist. Had one for several weeks as a pet, then let it go so it could do it’s hibernation thingy. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2010, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prehistoric-oddity-did-i-just-pull-out-of-my-garden/552424/19 "2010-09-03T01:13:06Z")
I’m confused . . . who let out the shriek, the critter or your SO? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2010, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prehistoric-oddity-did-i-just-pull-out-of-my-garden/552424/20 "2010-09-03T01:13:19Z")
Totally normal. I’ve found salamanders and newts living in the dirt and under rocks in all the states I have lived. They need moisture but they don’t need to be in water. I don’t know what species yours is, there are over 120 in the US. He’s a cute fella. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prehistoric-oddity-did-i-just-pull-out-of-my-garden/552424.md?page=2)